Northfield, OH --- Longshot players could not have been happier than they were in the 12th race at Northfield Park on Thursday (May 22), when Attackatooforu received a perfect trip and closed up the passing lane to win at odds of 57-1.

JJ Zamaiko photo

Attackatooforu closed up the passing lane to win at odds of 57-1.

David Lake drove the pacer for owner/trainer Jim Kiesel. It was the first win this year in four starts and represents Attackatooforu’s ninth lifetime score.

Attackatooforu was followed across the wire by Southern Susie (7-1) and Minor Wisdom (1-1). Attackatooforu returned $116.80 to win, the 1-4 exacta paid $1,029.60 and the 1-4-6 trifecta returned $4,715.20.

Earlier on the night, Sweetheart Dance paced to her third consecutive victory, capturing the $11,000 Fillies and Mares Open Pace in the fifth race. She is trained by Kent Sherman for owner Keith Pippi. Northfield Park's leading driver, Josh Sutton, was aboard for the winning drive.

Sweetheart Dance (Yankee Cruiser-Somekindasweetiepie) started from post seven. She left hard at the start and was hung three wide through the opening :27.2 quarter. She made the lead in the second turn and never looked back. She continued to post impressive fractions of :56.1, 1:24.3 and 1:53.4. The mile clocking bested her competition by 1-1/4 lengths. Completing the race were Power Everywhere, Eradikate, Ashtoreth Hanover, Deliciouslynaughty, Bubbler and Tame The Dame.

Thursday’s win was the fourth victory this year and 16th career score for Sweetheart Dance. It bolstered her lifetime earnings to $184,741. She was heavily favored and returned $2.80 to win.

-- Ayers Ratliff

Saratoga Casino and RacewayMuncie parlayed his pocket ride to victory on Thursday night in the $6,000 featured pace at Saratoga Casino and Raceway. The 4-year-old pacer had finished second in three consecutive local starts in April and had yet to record a win this year before going out of town to Plainridge Racecourse and registering a 1:55 victory last week. On Thursday night, reinsman Shawn Gray once again positioned Muncie (Charley Barley) in the pocket and this week they would not be denied. The win in 1:57.1 was the first locally for the Alicia Gray trainee. Cumulus Hanover (Jim Devaux) cut the mile but had to settle for second after being reeled in by Muncie while Tijuana Party (Stephane Bouchard) closed for third. Muncie returned $10.00 to win in the mild upset.